Odesa law enforcement exposes corruption in firewood procurement for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Odesa law enforcement officers have exposed an alleged corruption scheme in the procurement of fuel wood for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the investigation, officials of the Southern Housing and Maintenance Department and entrepreneurs who supplied firewood may be involved.

This was reported by the press service of the National Police in Odesa region.

While analyzing public procurement in the defense sector and processing information from open sources, including media publications, operatives of the Strategic Investigations Department in Odesa region received information about the possible misappropriation of budget funds in the Southern Housing and Maintenance Department.

The investigation established that officials of this institution entered into agreements for the supply of firewood for the needs of the Armed Forces with related entrepreneurs. During 2025, contracts worth more than UAH 77 million were signed with individual entrepreneurs. At the same time, according to preliminary data, the cost of wood in these contracts was significantly higher than the market price, and the difference could be distributed among the participants in the scheme.

To collect additional evidence, the Strategic Investigations Department, together with regional police investigators, conducted authorized searches at the suspects' residences and at the offices of the State Economic Management Company. During the investigation, they seized documents, computer equipment, money and other possible evidence.

Law enforcement officers are currently determining the exact amount of damage caused to the state budget. After completion of the necessary procedural steps, the issue of serving suspicion notices to the persons involved will be decided. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under the article on misappropriation or embezzlement of property through abuse of office.

In January, the head of the Odesa Housing and Maintenance Department was taken into custody. He is suspected of negligence of military service and causing damage to the state budget when purchasing military beds for the army.

The investigation found that on January 19, 2023, the colonel signed a contract with Elkon Design for the supply of 1071 army bunk beds worth almost UAH 6 million. According to law enforcement estimates, the state allegedly overpaid more than UAH 2 million.

Анна Бальчінос